Cooperstown, ND (WDAY TV) - A missing 3 year-old boy was located in Griggs County overnight, and authorities say his dog helped keep him warm during his disappearance. Authorities received a call from North Dakota State Radio, who received a 911 call saying a 3 year-old boy and the family dog, Cooper, were missing and unable to be located. The Cooperstown Fire Department, Cooperstown Ambulance and Binford Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, about 7 miles northwest of Cooperstown, to assist with the search.
Authorities arrived on the scene and started to search on foot where the family left off. ATVs, riders on horseback and volunteers joined the search shortly after. The North Dakota Highway Patrol was called in to assist with the search as it continued. They brought in a Bloodhound Search Dog, as well as an airplane to aid in the effort.
Threat of rain became a major concern around 2 AM, and the decision was made by team leaders to start sending some searchers home. Family and ATV riders continued to search, and within minutes an ATV party returned saying they had found the boy.
A Cooperstown Fireman was riding an ATV approximately a mile southeast of the farm with his search group and spotted something on a knoll. When he pointed his headlight at the area, the dog, Cooper, stood up. The fireman could see the boy laying face down on the ground; he said the dog was laying on top of the child, shielding him from the cold and rain. The child was sleeping at the time he was found.
The boy was taken back to the family farm and then to Cooperstown Medical Center to be checked out.